Unit 3
Assignment 2
Throughout this task I will be providing an explanation of the issues related to the use of
information. I will provide two items for each of the following categories: Legal issues,
ethical issues and operational issues.
Legal issues
Data protection act 1998
The data protection act ensures that personal information is handled correctly. It also gives
individuals the right to know what information is held about them.
The Data protection act works in two ways. Anyone who processes personal details must
register with the Data protection act registrar and comply with the eight principles. These
principles ensure that personal information is:
• Fairly and lawfully processed
• Processed for limited purposes
• Adequate, relevant and not excessive
• Accurate and up to date
• Not kept for longer than necessary
• Processed in line with your rights
• Secure
• Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection
The act also provides individuals with important rights.
These include the right to find out what personal information is held on computer and most
paper records.
Freedom of information act 2000
The freedom of information act allows the public to gain access to official information. It
gives individuals or organisations the right to ask for information from any public authority,
including central and local government, the police, the NHS and both colleges and schools.
They then will have 20 days to provide the information requested. They are allowed to
refuse if the information is exempt from the act. An example of an exemption would be if
the information could prejudice national security.
Ethical issues
Whistle blowing
If you see something within your organisation which you feel the public should know about
you have to talk to the relevant people within HR. By doing this the organisation will be
made aware of the incident prior to the press and can reduce the effect. It also means that
the person will not be treated unfairly via the organisation/press.
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Matthew Lloyd-Jones
Assignment 2
Throughout this task I will be providing an explanation of the issues related to the use of
information. I will provide two items for each of the following categories: Legal issues,
ethical issues and operational issues.
Legal issues
Data protection act 1998
The data protection act ensures that personal information is handled correctly. It also gives
individuals the right to know what information is held about them.
The Data protection act works in two ways. Anyone who processes personal details must
register with the Data protection act registrar and comply with the eight principles. These
principles ensure that personal information is:
• Fairly and lawfully processed
• Processed for limited purposes
• Adequate, relevant and not excessive
• Accurate and up to date
• Not kept for longer than necessary
• Processed in line with your rights
• Secure
• Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection
The act also provides individuals with important rights.
These include the right to find out what personal information is held on computer and most
paper records.
Freedom of information act 2000
The freedom of information act allows the public to gain access to official information. It
gives individuals or organisations the right to ask for information from any public authority,
including central and local government, the police, the NHS and both colleges and schools.
They then will have 20 days to provide the information requested. They are allowed to
refuse if the information is exempt from the act. An example of an exemption would be if
the information could prejudice national security.
Ethical issues
Whistle blowing
If you see something within your organisation which you feel the public should know about
you have to talk to the relevant people within HR. By doing this the organisation will be
made aware of the incident prior to the press and can reduce the effect. It also means that
the person will not be treated unfairly via the organisation/press.
1|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
